Manchester United head into the first international break of the season with plenty to sort out, with poor form, injury problems, and the JJ Gabriel saga to contend with
LEIGH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31:JJ Gabriel of Manchester United U21 warms up ahead of the Premier League 2 match between Manchester United U21 and Leicester City U21 at Leigh Sports Village on August 31, 2026 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
JJ Gabriel's future is up in the air(Image: Manchester United, Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Manchester United's early-season struggles have continued to mount, leaving Michael Carrick with plenty to ponder during the international break.
United have made an inconsistent start to the campaign and sit 12th in the Premier League after taking just one victory from their first six matches in all competitions. Defeats to Manchester City, Hull and Brighton have exposed some familiar weaknesses, while Sunday's 1-1 draw at Fulham required a late Matheus Cunha equaliser to rescue a point.
The concern is not simply the results, either. Much of the momentum built during the second half of last season has been lost, with Carrick facing growing scrutiny as he looks to rediscover the form that had appeared to put United on an upward trajectory.
Issues away from the pitch haven't helped. Injuries continue to disrupt Carrick's plans, with Benjamin Sesko the latest player to suffer a setback, while the increasingly complicated situation involving academy prospect JJ Gabriel has provided another unwanted distraction. Here, we're rounding up the latest Manchester United headlines.
JJ Gabriel 'agreement reached'
Manchester United academy starlet JJ Gabriel reportedly wants to move to Spain if he is permitted to leave Old Trafford.
The 15-year-old caused a major stir last week when he requested to be deregistered. Gabriel is regarded as one of the most exciting young players in United's academy, but his future at the club is now uncertain.
Spanish outlet Sport claim Gabriel has identified four possible destinations, with two of them coming from Spain. Real Madrid and Barcelona are reportedly interested, while Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be monitoring the situation.
JJ Gabriel of Manchester United celebrates scoring his teams third goal during the U18 Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Liverpool FC
JJ Gabriel is pushing to be deregistered by Man United(Image: Getty)
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Gabriel has reportedly brought agent Ali Barat on board as he seeks to force through a departure from United. Barat could play an important role in determining where the teenager ends up, having reportedly helped establish connections with both Real Madrid and Bayern.
However, Gabriel remains registered as a United player for the rest of the season and cannot simply be deregistered. The club remain hopeful that the situation can be settled, despite the youngster's apparent wish to leave.
Gabriel is only weeks away from being able to sign a scholarship agreement with United after turning 16 on October 6. He will then have to wait until he turns 17 before he can sign a professional contract.
Sesko releases statement
Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko says he is working tirelessly to return to action after suffering another setback with his ongoing shin issue. The 23-year-old missed United's weekend draw at Fulham and has subsequently withdrawn from the Slovenia squad.
Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United
Benjamin Sesko is out injured(Image: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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"I am very sorry that I will have to miss the national team's upcoming matches," Sesko wrote on Tuesday in a statement on Instagram. "I have always played for Slovenia - and always will - with heart and pride.
"Right now, the most important thing is to focus fully on my recovery. I am already working on getting back on the pitch as soon as possible to help both the national team and my club once again."
Sesko has been involved in all but one of United's games this term. He came off the bench to find the net during the 2-2 draw with Everton earlier this month before scoring United's third in their 4-0 victory over Azerbaijani outfit Sabah four days later.
The forward has nevertheless found himself behind Matheus Cunha in the pecking order, with Cunha starting every Premier League game up top so far. Sesko has only been handed starts against Sabah in the Champions League and Brighton in the League Cup.